Members of the wider Watford FC family have come together at Vicarage Road to celebrate achieving national recognition for the way it uses its sporting heritage to build partnerships for the benefit of the community.

Representatives of the club and Watford Museum were presented with the Sports Clubs and National Governing Body Sporting Heritage award at the inaugural Sporting Heritage Awards earlier this year.

The citation for the award read: “Many clubs rightly celebrate their heritage, what makes Watford FC so special is the partnerships with the museum, fans and community to do this, and the commitment to safeguarding and sharing social and ignored history that help the club connect and deliver ED and I (equality, diversity and inclusion) values that are at the heart of this community club.

“From using history to bring happiness to people living with dementia, to using ignored heritage to continue to grow community connection and challenge hate and ignorance, the club shows incredible commitment.

Watford Observer:

Everyone at the reception signed this tactics board

“In making Watford Museum the official collecting museum for Watford FC and Watford FC Women, a unique partnership continues to develop celebrating heritage beyond the club and in the heart of the community.

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor and Graham Taylor’s widow Rita were among guests invited to a reception at Vicarage Road on Thursday where museum curator Sarah Priestley praised everyone in attendance for the part they played in helping to win the award.

She said: “Why did we win? Because we’re Watford. And I really mean that. Our club is more than football, it is a family and it is a community. For the museum to be part of that, the council, all the fans – it’s so amazing to be part of that.

“This was instilled in us by Graham Taylor and by Elton John and everyone here is part of that community and part of that family.

“No other club or sporting governing body in the country could match that and that’s something we should all be so proud of. No one could match us for innovation, passion and heart for making a real difference with sporting heritage and showing what you can do and how you can work together.”